Graduate Studies is thrilled to announce the 10 finalists that will compete in the 2022 Semi-Final Grad Slam competition at the University of California, Davis.

In the annual Grad Slam tournament, master’s and doctoral students are challenged to share their research stories, concisely and compellingly, in three minutes or less. The top 10 finalists will present their research to an audience and panel of external judges for a chance to win $2,500.

The finalists were selected from a competitive pool of more than 25 master’s and doctoral students who submitted videos summarizing their research as part of the qualifying round.  Volunteer faculty and staff judges reviewed and scored the videos based on the participants' presentation skills. The top 10 individuals were selected and will move forward to the campus semi-final round on April 6. 

The champion of the UC Davis Grad Slam competition will go on to compete with winners from other campuses at the University of California Grad Slam annual competition held in May.

Global Education for All Designation 

The "Global Education for All" designation recognizes a Grad Slam submission that illustrates how a graduate student embraces global learning. Global learning at UC Davis is a combination of local, regional, national, and international experiences through which the student develops key skills, knowledge, and networks that help them build global awareness, engage global diversity and pursue collaborative and equitable global action. A global education-oriented project might illustrate global awareness by confronting a global challenge as articulated by the UN Sustainable Development Goals no matter where in the world that happens. 

Congratulations to the 2022 Global Education For All Recipients 

A panel of judges from Global Affairs selected the following recipients for their research contributions to Global Education for All. 

• Alice Dien: Alice’s research addresses distinct UN Sustainable Development Goals around food insecurity, food safety, and clean energy. This novel form of industrial desiccant drying would have a meaningful impact on both the cost and environmental impact of food dehydration, and potentially increase market access to farmers around the world.
• Paige Kouba: Paige helps us understand the impact of climate change on plant photosynthesis through water economy and CO2 absorption. Understanding these links at the cellular level better explains dynamic feedback loops at the macro level which, as Paige reminds us, could ultimately mitigate or exasperate global climate change impacts.
• William Turner IV:  William’s investigation of drought-induced patterns in the transatlantic slave trade draws important connections between climatological data and geopolitical activity, especially around war, resource production and migration (selective or forced). Touching on a range of UN Sustainable Development Goals, William’s work is both cautionary and illustrative of the potential current and future impacts of climate change.
• Jiahan Zou: Some sustainable technologies have the potential to positively impact industry in multiple ways. Jiahan’s work to develop jelly ice focuses primarily on the reduction of plastic waste, and could even represent savings as a reusable product with a potential byproduct market (as a soil amendment). The savings and versatility of this product could create new economies while also advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Additional Awards and Designations 

People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award is granted to the top 10 contestant who receives the most votes from the public. The voting link will be shared following the presentations at the Grad Slam Semi-Final Round. 

Public Impact Prize
Public Scholarship and Engagement will also be awarding an additional prize of $500 at this year's UC Davis Semifinal Round. The Public Impact prize, awarded by Public Scholarship and Engagement, recognizes outstanding research that has the potential for public impact. The winner of this prize demonstrates how their research has or will have significant impact by addressing a public concern or topic.

Join Us for the Campus Final Round Virtual Competition

The UC Davis finalists will compete against each other at the UC Davis Semi-Final Round on Wednesday, April 6 from 1 - 3 p.m. Seats are limited, register to reserve your spot.

The winner of the campus final round will have the opportunity to compete at the University of California-wide competition on May 6. 

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